Reserves rally to beat Galaxy

Steve Zakuani scored twice for Seattle as Sounders FC beat the LA Galaxy, 3-2, in the MLS Reserve League on Sunday afternoon at Starfire Sports Stadium.

TUKWILA, Wash. - Steve Zakuani scored twice for Seattle and Mike Stephens recorded a goal and assist for Los Angeles as Sounders FC beat the LA Galaxy, 3-2, in the MLS Reserve League on Sunday afternoon at Starfire Sports Stadium.

Sounders FC (2-4-1, 7 points) scored three second-half goals on a brace from Zakuani and a late tally from Sammy Ochoa. The Galaxy (4-2-1, 13 points), leaders of the West Division, twice built a one-goal lead on strikes from Jose Villareal and Stephens but were unable to secure the points.

Los Angeles' Villareal scored the game's opening goal in the 35th minute. Pat Noonan got free in the box and flipped a pass to Villareal for a first-time shot right in front of goal.

Sounders FC equalized in the 72nd minute when Zakuani scored his first competitive goal since April 9, 2011. Ochoa rolled a backheel pass to Michael Seamon at midfield who played a through ball to Zakuani behind the Galaxy defense. Zakuani slotted a right-footed shot inside the far post to level the score at 1-1.

The Galaxy regained a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute when Stephens got behind the Seattle defense. He drew Josh Ford off his line with a shot fake, then dribbled around the keeper and scored on an empty net.

Zakuani pulled Seattle level again with a goal in the 84th minute. Marc Burch sent a corner kick into the box that Ochoa headed to Zakuani who knocked it in the far post.

Sounders FC then secured the win with a late goal from Ochoa in the 90th minute. Zach Scott knocked down a ball in the box that Ochoa headed past Brian Rowe for the game-winner.

Villareal had several other scoring opportunities for Los Angeles throughout the match. In the 50thminute, Villareal eluded the oncoming Seattle goalkeeper and struck a shot on target that a diving Servando Carrasco saved off the line. In the 18th minute, Villareal hit a left-footed volley that skipped wide for a goal kick.

Seattle nearly scored in the 8th minute when Michael Tetteh hit the post. Tetteh cut across his defender and blasted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that caromed off the far post. In second-half stoppage time, Seattle's Dawyne Smith rocketed a shot on target that was cleared off the line.

Mario Martinez played 67 minutes in his first appearance for Sounders FC since joining the team on Friday. Martinez sent a low free kick into the box in the 22nd minute that just missed the head of Zach Scott and rolled wide for a goal kick.

Sounders FC held a slight advantage in total shots, 17-14, but the Galaxy managed to put three more shots on goal. Seattle had nine corner kicks to Los Angeles' three.

Seattle's next MLS Reserve League match is on Sunday, September 9 against Chivas USA at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. LA Galaxy continues reserve play on September 4 against the San Jose Earthquakes at Nutrilite Training Facility.